Race day is here, and NHRA fans are flowing into World Wide Technology Raceway on the bank of the mighty Mississippi River to watch their heroes compete for the title of NHRA Midwest National winner. But fans will also see an intense level of competition because this race marks the third stop of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship, and the points chase could literally not be closer. Racing action is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. local time, with nitro cars firing right after the fans get to enjoy the Sealmaster Track Walk and pre-race ceremonies. 

Top Fuel’s number one qualifier, 2021 NHRA Midwest Nationals winner, and defending World Champion Steve Torrence, will be one to watch as he pairs off against Buddy Hull in round one. This is Torrence’s chance to unleash the Capco team’s winning ways on the competition and claim necessary points in the Countdown to inch up on Mike Salinas, Brittany Force, Antron Brown, and Justin Ashley. With strong qualifying runs Josh Hart, Shawn Langdon, and Doug Kalitta will also be looking to disrupt the Championship points during today’s racing. 

Top Fuel Matchups

Funny Car’s racers to watch today are all California’s with fast hot rods and something to prove. Robert Hight is number one in the points and owns the track record here. But hot on his heels is Ron Capps who has the most Funny Car wins of any racer here in St. Louis and is looking to capitalize on that success to carry him past Hight in the point standings.  But not if number two  qualifier John Force has anything to say about it. Hight’s teammate and boss, John Force was a hundreth quicker and nearly 3-mph faster than Capps in qualifying. Expect to see Force use his own success to drive to the winner’s circle today and errode some of Capps’ Championship points. But don’t count out Matt Hagan, whose Hellcat could shine in competition today and help him move past Capps in the standings. 

Funny Car Matchups

World Wide Technology Raceway is a Pro Stock car paradise this weekend. The qualifying battle between KB Racing’s and Elite Motorsports’ horsepower on Friday and Saturday means today’s competition will all come down to driver skill. In the number one spot, Kyle Koretsky is looking to extend his success from Reading and Charlotte all the way into St Louis’ winner’s circle. Koretsky’s Championship run would also benefit from going deep into the rounds today, but he won’t be able to get there without working through an army of Elite drivers—namely Erica Enders, Troy Coughlin Jr., and Aaron Stanfield. Koretsky’s teammate (and engine supplier) Greg Anderson will be looking to see Koretsky succeed all the way to the Final round. Keep an eye on Matt Hartford and Dallas Glenn, who may also be the ones to defend the KB name into the final.

Pro Stock Matchups

After a one-year hiatus, Pro Stock Motorcycle returned to St. Louis and brings with it one of the most competitive fields we’ve ever seen in the class. Matt Smith has the dominant bike this weekend with a nearly 203-mph run that put him in the top qualifying spot. Smith is looking to regain the points lead over 2022 PSM phenomenon Joey Gladstone who qualified fifth this weekend.  But lest you think the 2022 season is just a fight between Smith and Gladstone, Steve Johnson and Angelle Sampey are poised to steal that momentum. Sampey qualified just below Smith, is backed up by teammate (and favorite rival) Eddie Krawiec, and is a serious threat to win today. Johnson will have a tougher battle to get to the final as his ninth qualifying spot means he’ll have to battle through all of his toughest rivals to hoist a Wally under the St Louis arch this afternoon. 

Pro Stock Motorcycle Matchups

Watch all of the racing action live on NHRA.tv

Track records: 
Top Fuel – 3.631 seconds by Clay Millican, Sept. 2017; 337.66 mph by Brittany Force, Sept. ‘21
Funny Car – 3.830 seconds by Robert Hight, Sept. 2017; 338.60 mph by Robert Hight, Sept. 2017
Pro Stock – 6.492 seconds by Greg Anderson, Sept. 2015; 213.47 mph by Jason Line, Sept. 2012
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.764 seconds by Chip Ellis, Sept. 2018; 200.50 mph by Matt Smith, Oct. 2020

2021 event winners: 
Steve Torrence, Matt Hagan, and Erica Enders

Most victories
Antron Brown 5, TF; Ron Capps, 4, FC;  Erica Enders, 5 PS; Matt Smith, 4 PS

Sunday’s schedule: 

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series qualifying starts at 10:30 a.m.
FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by D-Wagon qualifying starts at 12:10 p.m.

Television:
Sunday, October 2: FS1 will televise qualifying coverage at 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, October 2: FS1 will televise finals coverage at 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. (ET).